This month I have been challenging myself to learn new skills, not necessarily to offer to clients, but for use within my business.

For me, I thrive on learning new skills and it helps to keep me motivated. All my learning is online based, so it fits in around the rest of my workload, so whether it's 15 minutes, while I wait for a response or an hour in the evening it is about adding value to my business.

I have noticed that all the challenges I have found suggest the bite size approach, with this in mind I decided to undertake a 5 day challenge. Days 1 & 2 went well and so was day 3 until every parent's challenge occurs - the call from school, telling you your child is unwell. That saw the end of the challenge for that day. Days 4 & 5 - no point doing those until I completed day 3. So on day 5 I started day 3 and then didn't finish it as paid work was a priority.

No problem the weekend arrives, I had a couple of days to catch up on days 2,4 and 5. Again I was caught up sorting out paid work. Reassuringly the videos were still available for another week. Monday morning arrived - I had a little quiet time, so caught up with days 3, 4 & 5. Hooray finished! I loved it and despite a couple of moments of worry - experts always make it look easier (they have had lots of practice) but the feeling of something new was brilliant and now I am putting those skills into practice.